2020 Chevrolet Equinox Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

One of the most competitive segments in the automotive industry is the small crossover SUV segment. It is hard to know which one is worth buying and which one is best passed over. The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox gets a lot of things right, but what it gets wrong places it toward the middle of the pack instead of at the front. If you can afford one of the higher trim levels, you will get decent power. However, if you go for the base trim and engine, you just won't get that much power. You will have to decide whether you can financially justify spending more to get more with the Equinox.

What's New for 2020?

A few important changes have been made to the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. First and foremost, there is no longer a diesel engine option. Also, a lot of safety features have been standardized. Some of the options and packages have also been altered.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox – The Pros

1. The 2.0-L Turbocharged Engine

The optional 2.0-L turbocharged engine is quite powerful, producing 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It gets paired up with a 9-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (although all-wheel drive is an available option on all but the base L trim). This powertrain gets the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds, which is pretty swift for this segment. It is definitely worth paying for the upgrade from the underpowered 1.5-L engine.

2. A Smooth Ride Quality

If you want your vehicle to have a suspension that superbly absorbs a lot of bumps in the road, then know that the Equinox is capable of meeting your standards. Barely any road irregularities can be felt from inside of the cabin. It is an all-around well-mannered ride that lends to the vehicle's overall comfort and security.

3. Secure Handling Capabilities

Speaking of security, the way the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox handles is impressive. It rounds through turns with ease, and you will not feel any body roll - something that other SUVs have. Take this small SUV down any winding road, and you will see for yourself just how graceful it handles every twist and turn. Of course, if you get all-wheel drive, you will experience that extra layer of security while driving the vehicle in inclement weather or along bumpy dirt roads.

4. Appropriate Steering Effort

The weight of the steering wheel is just right, and the amount of effort the driver has to put into it feels completely appropriate for a SUV of this size. You will not feel that the vehicle is too light and airy, but you will get a feel for exactly how the wheels are tracking.

5. Comfy and Supportive Seats

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox balances plush comfort and firm support. Everything feels comfortable and like it fits to your body. Passengers in the back seat will find that they get plenty of thigh support. This is a vehicle that begs to be taken on long rides since its seats are so well-padded. Those with back or neck pain will likely find the front seats to be supportive and comforting.

6. A Low Step-in Height

Getting in and out of the Equinox is pretty easy. Even if you are short, the low step-in height will make sliding into the cabin feel like a breeze. A lot of SUVs have higher step-in heights, so it is nice to see that Chevy is making the Equinox as accessible as possible for a vehicle of its size. And with the way the roof and door frames are shaped, taller people will not have to duck down too far or worry about smacking their heads on the way in or out of the cabin.

7. The MyLink Infotainment System

Infotainment systems are really hit-or-miss in the auto industry right now. As for Chevy's MyLink system? It's a total hit. The controls are easy to use, and the touchscreen that is put into the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has clear graphics. Just use your finger to search through menus and choose the well-labeled controls. The screen has just the right amount of sensitivity to your touch, and there are a ton of nifty features built into it. Even the voice command system on this vehicle is user-friendly.

8. Plenty of Helpful Driver Aids

Safety is a major factor when buying a vehicle, and Chevy goes all out in adorning the Equinox with standard driver aids. These features work well for the most part, especially the superbly-tuned forward collision warning system. This feature, along with lane keep assist, a rearview camera, and automatic high beam control, comes standard on every vehicle. If you get the Confidence and Convenience II package equipped, you can get a 360-degree surround-view camera.

9. Clever Storage Areas

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has an underfloor storage that gives you extra space to store certain cargo items. This is helpful considering that there isn't a ton of cargo space available. The self-folding rear seats are a nice touch and make expanding your cargo space all the easier. Of course, the Equinox is loaded with plenty of cubby holes, bins, and cup holders.

10. Good Fuel Economy

One of the surprisingly good thing about owning the Equinox is that it gets decent gas mileage.The EPA ratings for the Equinox are 25 mpg combined (22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway). When tested, it was found that the Equinox gets between 25 and 26 mpg combined - a good showing for a small SUV. Of course, if you get the 2.0-L turbo engine, you will need to consider how much more you will be spending on premium fuel, which is recommended.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox – The Cons

1. Less Cargo Space Than the Competition

The most obvious downside to the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is that it does not have as much cargo space as a lot of its competitors. With all seats in place, you get just 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space. Bulky items will not fit well back there, even when you have the rear seats folded down. At least those are self-folding, which makes the task of loading and unloading a bit easier.

2. A Basic Base Engine

The 1.5-L turbo engine is severely lackluster in its performance. Honestly, it is better to just skip it and opt for the 2.0-L. The 1.5-L's 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque is nowhere near enough to power this vehicle. It struggles to get up to speed on the highway and even feels boring around town. It's just a shame that customers will have to pay more for the better engine option.

3. Poor Interior Material Quality

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is by no means a luxury vehicle, but it looks like Chevy skimped out on some of the interior materials. The quality is very average with a lot of hard plastic surfaces to be found. Nothing really rattles or feels poorly made; it just has a drab, economy car vibe to it. And, given the heinously hefty price tag on the LS trim and above, this is definitely not an economy car.

4. The L Trim is Special-order Only

If you want to get the base L trim, you have to special-order it. That just seems a bit silly, considering that this is the base trim we are talking about. You could be waiting quite a while to get your vehicle, which is probably not something you want to do.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2020 Ford Escape

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox does its best to stack up against the 2020 Ford Escape. The Escape has more powertrain options that vastly outperform the 1.5-L on the Equinox, and the interior materials are of a much high quality. However, the Escape also lacks cargo space due to the way its liftgate was redesigned for the model year.

2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2020 GMC Terrain

The 2020 GMC Terrain is another popular choice for the model year. It features a strong 2.0-L turbo engine that you can choose as an option. Also, its cabin is totally chic with touchscreen controls that are easy to figure out. On the downside, the Terrain can get pricey, and, like the Equinox, suffers from a lack of cargo space. It also has a pretty boring base engine that is better to pass over.

Conclusion

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox gets expensive when you upgrade to the LS or above and get the 2.0-L turbo engine equipped. However, this is really the only way to go with the Equinox. The L trim has some decent basics but has to be special-ordered. And the base engine is a total disappointment. What will reel people in is the amount of comfort the cabin provides, which is above average for this class.